Deborah Kerr had a unique acting talent. She could do anything on screen AND stage: comedy, drama, historical, accents - and was more than a fair dancer. I am trained opera singer, so take my word for it that anyone is completely naive (my first word choice was "idiot") who claims that D.K. not being able to sing the demanding lyric tunes of "The King and I" is some sort of detriment to her talent. In fact, not only was she an accomplished actress and dancer, she paints as well. Deborah Kerr was a supremely talented performing artist and a woman who celebrated the art within her as opposed to herself in the art. Sadly, D.K. has been combating Parkinson's for over a decade, so all we have of her contributions are her films and other memories. (My eternal envy to any fan who was able to meet her in person! :-)) Katherine P.S. To the "homophile" who dissed D.K.'s performance in "Tea and Sympathy": I think you'll appreciate her performance more if you suspend your militancy. The real story is about not being understood. As for the homosexual "slams" - (1) that's Robert Anderson's material, so fire away at him, not Deborah Kerr; and (2) the REAL gay person in there was the husband. Robert Anderson and anyone who knows the play realizes that Bill's latent homosexuality is another tragedy in the play - what happens to a person when s/he is not being true to himself/herself.

Deborah Kerr is the quintessential dramatic actress. While in no way superior to Julie Andrews in terms of singing ability (and she readily admitted to the fact that she was dubbed by Marni Nixon), she is at least on a par with Julie in terms of acting ability. Julie seemed to have problems when cast against type (or at least the movies did), Deborah is probably the most versatile actress the world has ever known. From the strong yet tender Anna Leonowens in 'The King and I' to the disillusioned and bitter yet passionate Karen Holmes in 'From Here to Eternity', Deborah brings class and elegance to any role she plays. Now, the only movie of Deborah's that I have seen and can remember is 'From Here to Eternity'. She was cast completely against type in the role of Karen when Joan Crawford pulled out, and thank god she did! This was completely in type for Joan, but Deborah brings an elegance to the role that would otherwise have been absent. One thing she is particularly good at is showing emotional pain in her eyes and face without being too 'over the top'; another is charging the screen with sexual tension (think 'The King and I', 'An Affair to Remember', and our old favorite 'From Here to Eternity'.) Deborah will go down in history as quite possibly the world's best actress.

Wonderful, beautiful and talented stage and screen actress. One of Hollywood's classiest.

An excellent actress, she has charm and grace that isn't known today. Most of her movies are timeless, I could watch them again and again. She's far, far better than Judy Garland and I would saw on an equal billing with Bette Davis at least! She could act circles around anyone in Hollywood today-they don't even compare.

One word: VERSATILITY.

Cast against type, she gave a great performance as the trampy and lonely Karen in From Here to Eternity.

Classy, strong, sophisticated and terrific actress. One of my favorites. She could probably act with any leading man, and never let him over power her. Never over the top, and never too subtle either. Just the right touch for a usually memorable and enjoyable performance.

Truly great actress of stupendous depth and sensitivity, elegance and dignity. Great performances in From Here to Eternity, Separate Tables, The Charlk Garden, and Night of the Iguana. OK, she didn't sing in The King and I, but many other leading ladies of her day were dubbed by Marnie Nixon (N. Wood, A, Hepburn, and D. Dandridge, I believe).

A very fine lady-like actress who shone in many films.

Anyone who would call Deborah Kerr "bland and white bread" has no idea what they are talking about. She was probably one of the most versatile actresses of the time. Check out the Sundowners and Here to Eternity. She could be salty and sexy as well as prim and proper. There was nothing she couldn't do, no role she couldn't play.

Deborah Kerr, extremely versatile actor, made over 45 films in addition to theatre and television performances. She has been in both dramatic and comedic films, DID sing lead ins to songs in The King and I and sang Whistle a Happy Tune and has done convincing accents ranging from American English, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, various English accents and others. She was nominated for 6 Oscars and received a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1994. In Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (at the age of 21) she played three parts. She was brilliant in Black Narcissus as a mother superior and as a governess in The Innocents (still one of the best suspense/horror films of all times). She has played more different characters than just about any of her contemporaries in the 40's - 60's and did it all without overdone special effects, animation, sexual explicitness, profanity or stupid plots. Among her more memorable roles: a drunkard in Edward, My Son; a nun in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison; an adultress in From Here to Eternity (cast against type); a spinster in Night of the Iguana; and a lonely, sexually repressed, mother dominated plain Jane in Separate Tables. In any of her films all you have to do is watch her eyes to feel the action. Those who underrate her fail to realize that her career covered more than just Hollywood and spanned over 50 years. She did not behave like a "star" but instead maintained a career of quietly doing the job she was hired to do. None of her costars ever said one negative word about her and all praised her ability and professionalism, her care and concern for her fellow actors and crew. While she certainly deserved an Oscar many times and especially for The Sundowners (1960), she still managed a gracious "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" reaction. A great lady (at 81 years of age), a beautiful woman and a superb actor.

Among the best of the classic leading ladies, she had an inner quality that gave dignity to her films.

number 1, her role in Tea & Sympathy continues to degrade gay people to this day; number 2, she cannot sing; number 3, i never thought i would see the day that this paper-thin actress would top any poll except blandest, most white-bread 1950's actresses; number 4, higher than Judy or Bette?!? puh-leeze!

Deborah is such a GREAT actress. She has been in so many films and such. She is also an extreamly gorgeous lady even now a day.

Didn't sing in THe King and I, mostly silly melodrama

Her most outstanding performance was as the governess in The Innocents (1961). Was she in touch with the supernatural or was she quietly going mad? A brilliant film, a flawless performance.

Deborah Kerr was one of Hollywood's most versatile actresses. She played serious roles, as well as light, comedic roles, and she was cast against type to play an adultress in "From Here to Eternity." She still holds the record for the most nominations without winning an Oscar. Her acting spanned decades, and she was as compelling in television's "A Woman of Substance" as she had been in her best Hollywood roles years earlier. No Deborah Kerr fan can forget her moving acceptance of an honorary Oscar in the late 1980s. She is retired and lives in Klosters, Switzerland, with her second husband.

SHOULD NOT BE BETTER THAN JUDY GARLAND!!!!!

Deborah Kerr has done some good roles. I especially remember her from The King And I. she was great in that. She was good in An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant.